Social Justice Books and Resources

Titles to Promote Kindness, Understanding and Rights for All

Social Justice Books and Resources

Titles to Promote Kindness, Understanding and Rights for All

Students' feelings of safety and learning outcomes go hand in hand. So much of our work at the beginning of the school year is to create a culture of trust and community to promote students’ willingness to take learning risks and live a growth mindset. The images and language many children witnessed in news reports about the Charlottesville protests create an added layer of complexity to this crucial process of community building.

To support teachers engaged in this delicate work of starting a dialogue with students about recent events, Denver Public Schools Library Services created this list of social justice books which promote kindness and rights for all.

While such discussions may seem political in today's climate, consider the words of education writer Valerie Strauss in her August 13th Washington Post article:

"...these discussions are about fundamental American values, and age-appropriate ways of discussing hatred and tolerance in a diverse and vibrant democracy are as important as anything young people can learn in school."

LOWER ELEMENTARY

Across the Alley by Richard Michelson

RACISM; ANTISEMITISM

Two young boys, one African-American and one Jewish-American, forge a secret friendship in post World War II Brooklyn. They discover how racism has affected both their families, and their story of overcoming prejudice is both endearing and hopeful.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

LBGTQIA; FAMILY DIVERSITY

Based on a true story, two male penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo court, build a nest, and (with the help of an observant zookeeper), hatch and raise their adopted daughter Tango.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

RACISM

Grace's classmates tell her she cannot play the lead role of Peter Pan because she is black, but her family inspires her to follow her dreams.

Across the Alley by Richard Michelson

RACISM; ANTISEMITISM

Two young boys, one African-American and one Jewish-American, forge a secret friendship in post World War II Brooklyn. They discover how racism has affected both their families, and their story of overcoming prejudice is both endearing and hopeful.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

LBGTQIA; FAMILY DIVERSITY

Based on a true story, two male penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo court, build a nest, and (with the help of an observant zookeeper), hatch and raise their adopted daughter Tango.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

RACISM

Grace's classmates tell her she cannot play the lead role of Peter Pan because she is black, but her family inspires her to follow her dreams.

UPPER ELEMENTARY

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

RACISM; SEGREGATION

Based on the 1947 California court ruling and told through the eyes of third grader Sylvia Mendez, this thoughtful book tells the story of the struggle to desegregate California schools.

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

RELIGION; ETHNICITY

Thirteen different voices weave a tale of a Cleveland community garden that brings local residents together to reconsider their attitudes, prejudices and opinions of one another. The result is a beautiful harvest of compassion and understanding.

Skating with the Statue of Liberty by Susan Lynn Meyer

RACISM; ANTISEMITISM

The sequel to Black Radishes, the story of a young Jewish boy Gustave and his family's escape from Nazi-occupied France. Now safely in America, Gustave befriends African American September Rose, who similarly experiences discrimination in school.

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

RACISM; SEGREGATION

Based on the 1947 California court ruling and told through the eyes of third grader Sylvia Mendez, this thoughtful book tells the story of the struggle to desegregate California schools.

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

RELIGION; ETHNICITY

Thirteen different voices weave a tale of a Cleveland community garden that brings local residents together to reconsider their attitudes, prejudices and opinions of one another. The result is a beautiful harvest of compassion and understanding.

Skating with the Statue of Liberty by Susan Lynn Meyer

RACISM; ANTISEMITISM

The sequel to Black Radishes, the story of a young Jewish boy Gustave and his family's escape from Nazi-occupied France. Now safely in America, Gustave befriends African American September Rose, who similarly experiences discrimination in school.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine

RACISM

This story of twelve-year-old Red Porter is a powerful exploration of death and grieving, racism, religious bias, and the difference one person can make in the pursuit of justice.

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

ANTISEMITISM

Based on a true story, this Holocaust narrative follows adolescent Yanek Gruener and his heroic struggle to survive the horrors of ten different concentration camps.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

RACISM

Written in verse, this memoir of Jacqueline Woodson describes her childhood journey of growing up in a racially divided country and discovering her passion for writing.

Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine

RACISM

This story of twelve-year-old Red Porter is a powerful exploration of death and grieving, racism, religious bias, and the difference one person can make in the pursuit of justice.

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

ANTISEMITISM

Based on a true story, this Holocaust narrative follows adolescent Yanek Gruener and his heroic struggle to survive the horrors of ten different concentration camps.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

RACISM

Written in verse, this memoir of Jacqueline Woodson describes her childhood journey of growing up in a racially divided country and discovering her passion for writing.

HIGH SCHOOL

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

RACISM

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigates two starkly different worlds, her black neighborhood and mostly white high school. After she witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil by a white police officer, she finds the courage to speak out and seek justice.

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

ANTISEMITISM

A deeply moving story of seven-year-old Anna and the mysterious stranger she depends on for survival in World War II Poland.

The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates

RACISM

A beautifully written memoir of growing up in a tough Baltimore neighborhood with a loving father determined to raise proud, successful sons.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

RACISM

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigates two starkly different worlds, her black neighborhood and mostly white high school. After she witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil by a white police officer, she finds the courage to speak out and seek justice.

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

ANTISEMITISM

A deeply moving story of seven-year-old Anna and the mysterious stranger she depends on for survival in World War II Poland.

The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates

RACISM

A beautifully written memoir of growing up in a tough Baltimore neighborhood with a loving father determined to raise proud, successful sons.

Looking for more resources?

NNSTOY Social Justice Book List provides a comprehensive list of books for ECE-12 students which cover social justice themes including racism, inclusion, immigration, classism, religious intolerance, and discrimination of the LGBTQ community.

Raising Race Conscious Children is an online resource for leading young children in discussions about race, with the goals of dismantling the color-blind framework and preparing young people to work toward racial justice.

For a growing list of web sites, book lists, and curriculum for teaching social justice, follow